In Belarus, labor pensions will increase by an average of 18.2% from May - M. Shchetkina

April 27, Minsk /Elena Prus - BELTA/. In Belarus, labor pensions will increase by an average of 18.2% from May this year. Minimum labor and social pensions, supplements, increases to pensions, as well as additional payments to pensions of non-working pensioners aged 75 and older will be raised. This was reported to BELTA correspondent by the Minister of Labor and Social Protection, Marianna Shchetkina. She noted that based on the Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus of January 16, 2012 No. 35 "On Pension Increases," recalculation of labor pensions will be carried out from May 1 this year based on the average wage of workers in the republic for the first quarter of this year. According to the National Statistical Committee, it amounted to Br3 million 6 thousand 88. This is 18.2% higher than the indicator used for recalculating labor pensions in February of this year. "As a result, labor pensions, for which the living wage is not applied in the calculation of their amount, will increase by 18.2%," the minister stated. According to her, in May, minimum labor and social pensions, supplements, increases to pensions, and additional payments to older people will also be recalculated due to the growth of the living wage per capita. The living wage in March 2012 prices is approved by the government at Br743 thousand 20, which is 5.1% higher than the standard in effect from February 1 to April 30, 2012. Accordingly, social pensions, supplements, and increases will increase by 5.1%. Taking into account the new living wage, the amounts of additional payments to pensions of non-working pensioners from May will be Br139.3 thousand for people who have reached the age of 75, and Br185.8 thousand for those who have reached the age of 80. Overall, the average old-age pension is estimated to increase by 16.9% and will amount to Br1 million 467.5 thousand. "The pension amount for a specific person will depend on the individual parameters used to calculate his pension - length of service, individual coefficient indicated in the pension certificate," the minister emphasized. The maximum old-age pension for non-working pensioners will be Br2 million 220 thousand 750 from May this year. Financing of expenses for pension increases will be carried out from the funds of the Social Protection Fund of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection. Additional expenses for these purposes in May this year will amount to Br522 billion. The necessary funds are available in the fund, Marianna Shchetkina assured. -0-